The Local Edit: Close to Home, Far From Ordinary
Eight extraordinary destinations across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific - closer than you think, more remarkable than you might imagine.
The first few months of 2026 have created a subtle shift in the way we think about travel – not just where we go, but how we choose to journey. A world that feels increasingly uncertain has quietly encouraged many of us to look a little closer to home - and in doing so, we have found ourselves rediscovering a region of quite extraordinary depth and variety.
Over the coming weeks, we will explore both the destinations close to home and those further afield, beginning here with the remarkable landscapes of Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.
Australia and the South Pacific have always been remarkable; it perhaps took a pause in the relentless pursuit of far-flung horizons to remind us of that. From remote wilderness lodges and private coral-fringed islands to pristine stretches of coast and vibrant city stays, these are destinations that require nothing more than a short flight and an open mind. They have been here all along, waiting to be properly noticed.
Perth & Surrounds -
Western Australia
Samphire, Rottnest Island
Perth has quietly grown into one of Australia's most compelling city destinations - sun-drenched, self-assured and possessed of a relaxed confidence that comes from knowing you have one of the world's great coastlines practically on your doorstep. The restaurant and bar scene has matured considerably, the Swan Valley and Margaret River wine regions are within easy reach, and the Indian Ocean sunsets over Cottesloe Beach remain genuinely breathtaking. For those who want a taste of island life without committing to a full stay, a one- or two-night trip across the water to Rottnest makes for a perfect addition to a Perth itinerary. Hire a bike, explore at your own pace, and take time to properly acquaint yourself with the island's famously cheerful quokkas - a wildlife encounter that never loses its charm.
Best time to travel: October to April for classic Perth sunshine and warm evenings; the cooler winter months (May to August) offer a greener, quieter city with excellent conditions for exploring the wine regions.
Where we love to stay: Hyde Hotel Perth - a stylish and thoughtfully designed city address that combines genuine warmth with an excellent central location, making it the ideal base for both the city and surrounding regions.
The Kimberley -
Western Australia
Paspaley Pearl Expeditions
One of the world's last great wildernesses, The Kimberley stretches across Australia's remote northwest in a landscape of blood-red gorges, cascading waterfalls and ancient Aboriginal rock art that pre-dates the pyramids. Experiencing it properly means going by water - the coastline here is largely inaccessible by road, revealing its rugged secrets only to those who commit to an expedition cruise. This is travel at its most elemental, and all the more extraordinary for it.
Best time to travel: The dry season, April to September, is the only practical time to visit - wet season rains render much of the region impassable and the waterways swell dramatically.
Where we love to stay: True North and Paspaley Pearl Cruises - two very different but equally exceptional ways to explore this remote coastline. True North offers intimate expedition cruising with helicopter and diving excursions; Paspaley brings a world of pearling heritage and gracious elegance to the adventure
Lizard Island -
Queensland
Lizard Island Resort
There are few places that can claim to sit directly on the Great Barrier Reef, but Lizard Island is one of them. Perched at the reef's northern tip, this granite island rises from water so vividly blue it seems almost manufactured - yet every shade is entirely real. The snorkelling and diving here is world-class, with Cod Hole and the Ribbon Reefs just a short boat ride away, but the island rewards those who simply do nothing in equal measure. Twenty-four secluded beaches, warm Coral Sea air and an atmosphere of effortless seclusion make this a destination that earns its place on any serious travel list.
Best time to travel: April to October offers the most settled conditions and superb visibility underwater; November to March brings warmer temperatures and fewer visitors, with occasional tropical showers.
Where we love to stay: Lizard Island Resort - the island's only property, a beautifully understated retreat of 40 suites and villas where the reef is quite literally your front garden.
Hamilton Island -
Queensland
The Sundays, Hamilton Island
The Whitsundays are one of those rare corners of the world so spectacularly beautiful they defy explanation - 74 islands scattered across impossibly turquoise water, with Whitehaven Beach's silica sands making it one of the most photographed stretches of coastline in the southern hemisphere. Hamilton Island is the archipelago's most accessible base, yet it manages to feel anything but ordinary. Sail to secluded bays, take a seaplane at golden hour, or simply surrender to the rhythm of island life. It is the kind of place that makes it very difficult to leave.
Best time to travel: June to August brings reliably dry weather and comfortable temperatures, making it peak season for good reason. Shoulder seasons on either side offer quieter beaches with still-excellent conditions.
Where we love to stay: The Sundays - a quietly refined boutique retreat perched above the water, with a design sensibility that feels genuinely considered.
Yamba -
New South Wales
Il Delfino Seaside Inn
There is a particular kind of Australian coastal town that seems to exist outside of time, and Yamba - perched at the mouth of the Clarence River on the Northern NSW coast - is perhaps the finest example of the type. A 90-minute drive from its glamorous neighbour Byron Bay, Yamba is unhurried, sun-bleached and genuinely beautiful, drawing those who understand that the best beaches are rarely the ones that feature in airport advertising. The surf is excellent, the fishing is better, and the town's small collection of cafés and restaurants punches well above its weight. It is the sort of place that locals guard jealously and visitors quietly dream of returning to.
Best time to travel: A year-round destination at heart - summer brings warm water and long beach days, while the cooler months offer quieter streets, excellent surf conditions and the chance to feel as though you have discovered somewhere entirely your own.
Where we love to stay: El Delfino Seaside Inn - a beautifully considered boutique property with a fashionable heritage and a distinctly Mediterranean sensibility that brings a touch of 1960s Italian dolce vita to Yamba's laid-back character.
Lord Howe Island -
New South Wales
Capella Lodge, Lord Howe
Lord Howe Island operates under one of the most enviable restrictions in travel: only 400 visitors are permitted on the island at any time. The result is a place of sublime tranquillity - a UNESCO World Heritage site of towering volcanic peaks, ancient forests and a lagoon of such clarity it stops you mid-sentence. There are no traffic lights, no crowds and little in the way of digital distraction. Rare birds wander unconcerned across walking tracks; the world's most southerly coral reef lies a short swim from shore. It is not merely beautiful - it is restorative in a way that very few places can claim to be.
Best time to travel: October to April for warm weather and calm seas ideal for snorkelling; May to September brings a cooler, greener island with spectacular hiking conditions and a wilder, more elemental atmosphere.
Where we love to stay: Capella Lodge Lord Howe - the island's most elegant address, a luxury retreat with a thoughtful approach to design that sits in perfect harmony with the surrounding landscape.
Cape Kidnappers -
New Zealand
Rosewood Cape Kidnappers
Perched on one of the most dramatic headlands in New Zealand, Cape Kidnappers manages to combine vast natural spectacle with genuine warmth and ease. The clifftop setting - above 230-metre sheer drops to the Pacific - is extraordinary in any season, but winter brings a particular kind of magic: mist rolling across the Hawke's Bay plains, open fires crackling at dusk and the gannet colony at the cape's tip making their own spectacular show. The golf course here is widely regarded as one of the finest in the world, and even non-golfers will understand why - the views from each tee make rational thought rather difficult.
Best time to travel: A compelling year-round destination - summer (December to March) offers long golden days perfect for outdoor adventure, while winter provides an intimate, fireside retreat with the added drama of shifting skies.
Where we love to stay: Rosewood Cape Kidnappers - all clifftop lodge elegance and New Zealand pastoral grandeur, with exceptional food and wine to match the extraordinary setting.
Tahiti & Her Islands -
French Polynesia
The Brando, Tetiaroa
French Polynesia has inspired writers, painters and dreamers for centuries, and one visit makes it abundantly clear why. Bora Bora rises from its lagoon like a declaration - the extinct volcanic peak of Mount Otemanu reflected in water of such iridescent green-blue that photographs simply cannot do it justice. Further north, the private atoll of Tetiaroa offers something rarer still: seclusion so complete and landscapes so untouched that arrival by small plane feels like a genuine act of discovery. Whether you choose the drama of Bora Bora or the extraordinary stillness of a private atoll, Tahiti delivers on every promise the Pacific makes.
Best time to travel: May to October for dry, settled conditions and the best visibility for snorkelling and diving; November to April is warmer and lusher, with the occasional rain shower adding verdant drama to an already spectacular palette.
Where we love to stay: The Brando on Tetiaroa - perhaps the world's most remarkable eco-luxury retreat, built on Marlon Brando's private atoll with a conservation ethos to match its beauty. Or Four Seasons Bora Bora, where overwater villas and an exceptional lagoon setting create the quintessential Polynesian experience.
Fijian Islands -
South Pacific
The Wakaya Club
Fiji is a destination that exudes effortless beauty and hospitality. The warmth of its people, the richness of its reefs and the extraordinary variety of its islands - more than 300 of them - create a destination that works for almost everyone and does so with immense, unhurried grace. Private island resorts offer exclusive luxury experiences; marine enthusiasts lose themselves entirely in the underwater world; and families spanning multiple generations can each find something that feels made specifically for them. There is a generosity to Fiji - geographical, cultural and of spirit - that keeps travellers returning year after year.
Best time to travel: May to October offers the most reliable sunshine and calm conditions; November to April is warmer and tropical, and many of the most exclusive resorts offer their best value during these months.
Where we love to stay: The Wakaya Club for total private-island seclusion and old-world luxury; Tokoriki Island Resort for an intimate couples' retreat; Kokomo Private Island for multi-generational trips where every generation feels considered; and Six Senses Fiji for wellness-focused travellers who refuse to sacrifice style for substance.
The world remains wide, and we have no doubt it will continue to beckon. But right now, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific are offering something that far-flung travel rarely can - the quiet pleasure of being genuinely surprised by somewhere close to home.
In May we will look further afield once more, exploring the rich landscapes and cultures of Asia and the sub-continent - a natural continuation of the journey.
If any of these destinations have sparked your curiosity - our Travel Designers would be delighted to curate a journey entirely tailored to you.